Australian Military History

Interview - Aaron Dryden

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:00:00 GMT

In this bonus episode I interview Aaron Dryden about his book, Between Two Wars, based upon the story of his great grandfather's experiences through WW1 and WW2 and his eventual fate at the Sandakan Prisoner of War camp.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Between-Two-Wars-Aaron-Dryden-ebook/dp/B0G441WXNS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ET9QEE6JJB5U&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5z7rjnDZolTUhGtW2Jt6CXjTo-YGA_D7Q06rXmD1xLWgjr45nzxvm9AAs2-XGwlQqeqVMH1EGAmm1P_KjXQHW3E3v9NLFlMt3RUEF1YjzlDu-e2ITxSGqV8r1YLRN8IKV5fJMJ2WUVIqbpD-NKlsKGvD4MeBnS7r0SvgnsSL7G6GyuD8csjciNzTvyS3c9cNxO3aOFBn0vl8AGd_2aABrKjOkHOzNBwfmAegeg3YW6I.nDW-kLhisdOHDawGNmL4CT6yCg4Qar1GPdm_--ugT6o&dib_tag=se&keywords=between+two+wars&qid=1774865043&s=books&sprefix=between+two+wars%2Cstripbooks%2C372&sr=1-1

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Sandakan

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:00:00 GMT

After the fall of Singapore 80 000 British, Indian and Australian troops became prisoners of the Japanese Imperial Army. Many of these men would be subjected to the horrors of the Thai Burma railway, but around 2 500 were to suffer and even worse fate. They would be sent to Borneo to build an airstrip for the Japanese near the village of Sandakan. After years of brutality, with the fear of an Allied landing somewhere on Borneo, the Japanese authorities decided to move the prisoners over 250 km to the village of Renau, signaling a new level of suffering for the POWs.

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A Christmas Present

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 20:00:00 GMT

As promised in my last episode, I hereby present to you all a Christmas present to say thank you for your support throughout the year. Have a good one.

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Pozieres - Taking the Village Part 3

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:00:00 GMT

Having advanced beyond the village of Pozieres, the 1st and 3rd Brigades of the 1st Division now attempted to realign themselves with the Old German (OG) Lines. The fighting by now was chaotic with orders being issued for local attacks, often without neighbouring units being aware. Miscommunicated orders also didn't help things. But advances were made, lost and made again. The 25th and 26th July 1916 would see the Australians subjected to further bombardment during the days and launching attacks at night. But by the 26th, the men were at the end of their endurance and the process of relieving the 1st Division with the 2nd Division began.

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Pozieres

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:00:00 GMT

After securing the ground on the southern edge of Pozieres village, along the Bapaume Road, the 1st Australian Division was ordered to use patrols to capture the remainder of the village, which higher command believed to be empty of Germans. The patrols met some success with positions established on the northern side of the village, but the Germans weren't going to let the Australians have it all their own way. The 24th July 1916 marked the beginning of what would become the signature feature of the battle for Pozieres; artillery.

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Pozieres

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 20:00:00 GMT

In 1916, the British launched the now infamous Battle of the Somme. Three weeks after the opening of the battle, the high ground around a small village in French Picardy remained in German hands. In the AIF's first major assault on the Western Front, the task of seizing Pozieres fell on the 1st Australian Division. The 23rd July would mark the beginning of the battle which would incur the greatest loss of life in Australian military history.

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Interview - Roland Perry

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 20:00:00 GMT

I recently interviewed Roland Perry about his new book Oliphant, the biography of arguably Australia's greatest mind and a man who played an instrumental role in the defeat of both Nazi Germany and Japan.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToyQ3ufqmB0

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The Battle of Rafa

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 20:00:00 GMT

With the capture of Magdhaba and with El Arish more or less secured, the Desert Column was poised to leave the Sinai behind and entre Palestine. There was only one potential threat to that advance, the old Egyptian police post of Rafa. This strong defensive position gave the Turks better access to water than the British and Commonwealth forces could muster and so at the start of the day, the Turks held all the aces, unless of course they didn't know the attack was coming.

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Interview - Tom Gilling

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 20:00:00 GMT

Start Digging You Bastards is the new book from Tom Gilling, following the deeds of the Australian 9th Division during the Battle of El Alamein. This month I interview Tom about El Alamein and the Australian's role in the "Turning Point of the War."

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Guest Episode - Aussies In Yugoslavia

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:00:00 GMT

Something different this month as this is a topic I knew absolutely nothing about. Fortunately, someone who does know all about it is Edmund Goldrick, whose dulcet tones you will get to enjoy instead of my usual droning. Enjoy

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77th Squadron RAAF in Korea

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 20:00:00 GMT

At the outbreak of the Korean War, the 77th Squadron were just packing up to leave Japan after five years with the occupation forces. Within a week they were flying their first combat mission of the war and would go on to forge a reputation as an effective fighting force, which the Commanding Officer of the US 5th Airforce said "set the pace".

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Between Finschhafen and Sattelberg Part 3

Tue, 20 May 2025 20:00:00 GMT

The Japanese thrust had managed to drive a wedge between the 24th Brigade and the 20th Brigade of the 9th Division. But the fighting had left the Japanese battered and unable to launch a coordinated follow up attack. Over the following days, the Australians would regroup and reinforce with the intention re-establishing their defensive line and pushing the Japanese back in preparation for the attack on Sattelberg. But the Japanese have never been known for giving up without a fight. It would take hard fighting to shift them from their hard earned positions.

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Between Finschhafen and Sattelberg Part 2

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:00:00 GMT

Having been forced out of Finschhafen and Jivevaneng, the Japanese forces on the Huon Peninsula launched a counter-attack, aimed at recapturing the Australian-held Scarlett Beach. This is where stores and reinforcements were being landed by the Australian and American forces. Lose Scarlett Beach and the entire area would become precarious. Fortunately, a plan of the coming offensive had been discovered on a dead Japanese officer and so General Wootten knew roughly where and when things were going to happen. But knowing this, and being able to do something about it, were two completely different things. His already stretched 9 Division would be severely tested.

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Between Finschhafen and Sattelberg Part 1

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 20:00:00 GMT

With the fall of Finshhafen, the 20th Brigade of the 9th Division was keen to push on to their next major objective in the Huon Peninsula campaign; Sattelberg. It appeared that the Japanese who had retreated were all heading in that direction, so all haste was needed in order to prevent them from settling in. Unfortunately, the areas which the Brigade had already seized were only thinly held and far from secure. Support was coming in the form of one battalion from the 24th Brigade, but until they arrived no proper offensive action could be undertaken. Meanwhile the Japanese were hatching plans to retake all that they had lost. The question of supply would decide the fate of the whole campaign.

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Nancy Wake

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

Born in New Zealand, Nancy Wake grew up in Australia. At her first opportunity she took off overseas and, after training as a journalist, found herself with a front row seat to the rise of Nazi Germany. When war broke out and Germany captured Paris and Northern France, Nancy and her husband went to work helping Allied soldiers flee occupied France to England. In the process Nancy became the Gestapo's most wanted operative. Forced to flee, leaving behind her husband, Nancy arrived in England and joined the Special Operations Executive (SOE). There she began to really make trouble for the Germans, including an epic bicycle ride that would go down in history as one of the most audacious acts of the French resistance during the war.

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The Battle of Fromelles Part 4

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 20:00:20 GMT

With the 15th Brigade all be annihilated, the 14th and 8th Brigades tried desperately to hold onto their gains. But with their right flank open and the left under intense counter attack, the scattered parties were in a desperate situation. Spirited defensive counter attacks held the Germans at bay for a while, but diminishing supplies and the strength of German attacks snuffed out the pockets one by one. And then, when the Germans reoccupied their own trenches behind the Australians, cutting them off from their own front lines, things started to fall apart.

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The Battle of Fromelles Part 3

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 20:00:49 GMT

With the initial attack halted, the men of the 5th Australian Division set about holding onto what they had managed to take. But confusion and lack of communication meant that the commanders back from the fighting didn't fully understand the situation. In ignorance of the true situation further attacks were ordered, then cancelled. But the battered 15th Brigade didn't get notified of the cancellation until it was too late.

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Military Structure

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 20:00:53 GMT

As promised, something to break up the Fromelles episodes a bit. I present unto Thee an attempt to explain the structure of the Australian Army throughout the years. I shall unravel the mysteries that surround battalions, platoons and Brigades, what's the difference between Non Commissioned and Commissioned ranks and just how it all combines to make the whole thing work.

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The Battle of Fromelles Part 2

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 20:00:46 GMT

With all the planning done and dusted, there was nothing left to do except get going. The British 183rd and 184th Divisions, forming the right flank of the attack went forward and were almost immediately stopped in their tracks. The next in line was the Australian 15th Brigade, whose task was to attack the underside of the Sugarloaf. The preparatory bombardment had inflicted no serious damage on the Sugarloaf and the 15th would bear the brunt of the fire coming from that position. The 14th and then the 8th Brigades, further along to the left had some limited success, but time and manpower were wasted searching for the German second line trench.

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The Battle of Fromelles Part 1

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 20:00:19 GMT

On 1st July 1916, General Haig launched his now infamous Somme Offensive. The opening days had been disastrous and something needed to be done to assist the British troops currently struggling against the strong German defence. To the north of the Somme, a salient jutting into the British lines, just near the little village of Fromelles. It was decided that a strong demonstration here would prevent the Germans from moving troops to the south to reinforce on the Somme.

And so a demonstration was planned, and then cancelled, and then reinstated but with a different objective, then back to the original plan, but not yet, to then suddenly be urgent. Such was the back and forth and changing of plans that became the Battle of Fromelles.

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HMAS Sydney (II)

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 20:00:31 GMT

Taken on strength with the Royal Australian Navy between the wars and named for her sister ship who had sunk the German raider Emden during WW1, HMAS Sydney (II) gained fame as lucky ship during operations in the Mediterranean Theatre in World War 2. Involved in a number of actions in that theatre, including the sinking of the Bartolmeo Colleoni, while barely sustaining any damage herself, she came to be considered invincible. This reputation followed her into the waters off Western Australia and in action against a German raider, the Kormoran. The result would be the opposite of her sister ship's meeting with the Emden.

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Battle of FSB Coral In Their Own Words

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 20:00:53 GMT

In this episode I am talking with Mal Murray, Peter Harrower and Jim Smith, veterans of the fighting at Fire Support Base Coral. No more needs to be said. Enjoy.

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The Battles of FSB Coral and FSB Balmoral

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 20:00:55 GMT

In January 1968, the North Vietnamese Forces launched the Tet Offensive. They suffered server casualties during the opening phases of this attack and to replenish their forces, they required uninterrupted infiltration routes. Obviously, Western Forces, including Australians, didn't want this to happen. So in May troops from 1RAR, with Australian and New Zealand artillery, were sent out to establish Fire Support Base Coral. The Vietnamese forces hit Coral before the defenders were properly prepared and an epic battle ensued. Shortly after that, 3RAR went further afield to establish Fire Support Base Balmoral. They also came under heavy attack. Between them, these twin battles would become Australia's most intense and most costly battle of the Vietnam War.

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The Battle of Retimo

Tue, 14 May 2024 20:00:25 GMT

After the evacuation of Greece, New Zealand, British and Australian troops prepared to defend the airfields of Crete. The Australians concentrated on the central area of the island, with the 2/1st and 2/11th Battalions responsible for the defence of the airfield at Retimo. When German paratroopers began to fall from the sky on the 20th May 1941, it signaled the beginning of several days of hard, bitter fighting as the Allied forces attempted to deprive Germany of yet another conquest.

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Brallos Pass

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 20:00:48 GMT

As the fighting at Pinios Gorge was reaching its peak, the majority of W Force moved back through Larissa heading for the next defensive position on the Thermopylae - Brallos Pass Line. Initially, this line was where the Allied Forces planned to halt the German advance through Greece, however the situation soon changed and the stand along this line was now responsible for delaying the German advance long enough for W Force to be evacuated from Greece. Fail and the entire force would be captured and any further attempt to stop the Germans in this theatre would be lost.

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Pinios Gorge

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 20:00:48 GMT

With the Germans pushing through the Metaxas Line, their invasion of Greece gained momentum as they pushed south. The British, Australian and New Zealand troops of W Force were falling back to their next defensive line, but with the Germans hot on their heels, a delaying action was needed. The junction town of Larisa was vital for the retiring troops and a German thrust on the eastern flank, aimed through Pinios Gorge, threatened the town and W Force's withdrawal. They had to be held for two days if the Allies were to have any chance.

https://historyguild.org/the-battle-of-pinios-gorge-a-tough-fight-to-delay-the-german-advance/

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Major James Francis Thomas

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 20:00:54 GMT

As the defence lawyer for Morant, Handcock and Whitton during the Boer War, the story of Major Thomas is often overshadowed by events of the Courts Marshall. As a prominent figure in the small rural town of Tenterfield, Thomas raised a contingent of mounted troops for service in South Africa and saw action on many battlefields, including The Siege of Elands River. The result of his service and the outcome of the Morant trial left Thomas a broken man, largely shunned by the community who once lauded him.

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The Battle of Maryang San Part 3

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 20:00:11 GMT

With Hill 317 in the safe hands of 3RAR, all that remained was for the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers to take Hill 217 and 3RAR to take Sierra feature and The Hinge. The previous day's fighting had shown that Hill 217 would be a tough nut to crack and although the Fusiliers managed to seize the position, they were unable to hold onto it in the face of a massive Chinese counter-attack. The outcome of the battle would be determined by 3RAR. If successful, the entire Maryang San complex would be secured. Fail and the whole plan would need to be revised. The pressure was on Lt Col Hassett and his troops.

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The Battle of Maryang San Part 2

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 20:00:07 GMT

With Hill 355 secured, the focus of the fighting turned to the main objective, Hill 317 and its neigbouring feature Hill 217. 3RAR would make the assault on Hill 317 while the Northumberland Fusiliers attempted to take Hill 217. In order to take Hill 317, 3RAR first had to secure features known as Tango, Uniform and Qubec. The fighting to take these features would test the strength of 3RAR, severely reducing their numbers before they could make the main attack and seize Maryang San.

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The Battle of Maryang San Part 1

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 20:00:27 GMT

In 1951 the combatant nations of the Korean War had finally come to the negotiating table, raising hopes that the Korean War would soon be over. But when negotiations broke down, the troops went back to fighting. General Van Fleet wanted the UN troops to advance and push the Chinese troops back. US troops pushed forward at Punchbowl, and shortly thereafter the 1st Commonwealth Division, including the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) launched its attack on the Maryang San complex.

The first phase involved the attack on Hill 355 by the Kings Own Scottish Borderers and the Shropshire Light Infantry. 3RAR's role in this opening move was intended to be a supporting role, but when the Borderers and Shropshires were held up by heavy fire, C Company of 3RAR was sent in to help.

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Damien Parer

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 20:00:26 GMT

When the Second AIF headed to war, a little known photographer named Damien Parer was with them. Having made a reputation in the fledgling Australian film industry, Parer was selected as an official war photographer for the Department of Information. He would go on to record many of the iconic images of Australian troops in that war. But the bureaucracy of the DoI would eventually see Parer resign and take up a role with Paramount News, a move which would bring about his untimely death on the island of Peleliu.

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The Fall of Rabaul Part 2

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 20:00:24 GMT

With the port town of Rabaul captured by the Japanese, the men of Lark Force began their retreat. Two main escape routes developed, one to the north and the other to the south. All of the survivors experienced hardships over the coming weeks. Those who went north and came under the energetic leadership of Lt Appel were the lucky ones, being evacuated after only a few weeks. Those who headed south faced a much tougher trek, with some destined to fall victim to Japanese atrocities at the Tol Plantation.

Warning - contains description of the massacre at Tol.

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A quick one.

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 20:00:55 GMT

If you would like to support the petition to erect a memorial to the Coastwatchers at Hamilton on the Brisbane River, please follow this link.

https://www.epetitions.brisbane.qld.gov.au/petition/view/pid/1246

Cheers

Warwick

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The Fall of Rabaul Part 1

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 20:00:13 GMT

The war in Europe seemed a long way off for the inhabitants of New Britain and there was no real urgency from the Australian Chiefs of Staff to secure this vital island. A token force was sent to Rabaul to observe any movement and to report back to Army HQ. But in December 1941, Japanese forces bombed Pearl Harbor and began their conquest of the Pacific. Rabaul was now under threat, but you wouldn't know it. The Defence Chiefs decided not to reinforce Lark Force, or even provide them with adequate resources to defend the port town. Lark Force commander, Colonel Scanlan, had not even made plans for a withdrawal should the Japanese force arrive anytime soon. And arrive they did, and a spirited yet doomed attempt to defend New Britain was undertaken.

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Links to the Office of Australian War Graves

https://www.dva.gov.au/wargraves

https://www.dva.gov.au/recognition/office-australian-war-graves/war-cemeteries-and-gardens-remembrance/gardens-remembrance

https://www.dva.gov.au/recognition/office-australian-war-graves/war-cemeteries-and-gardens-remembrance/war-cemeteries

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The August 1915 Offensive Part 3

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 20:00:02 GMT

By the morning of the 7th August 1915, British troops were landing at Suvla Bay, , the left assaulting column was taking off for its part in proceedings, New Zealand Troops were waiting to attack Chunuk Bair and men of the Australian Lighthorse were preparing to charge at The Nek. This day would be one of farce and heartbreaking tragedy. The Commander of the Suvla Landing would start the day with a satisfying snooze while his troops foundered onshore and the left assaulting column would follow a guide on a short cut that ended up adding three hours to the advance and getting the troops lost. At The Nek, two Lighthorse Regiments would be destroyed and the following day would see the destruction of the New Zealanders on Chunuk Bair.

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The August 1915 Offensive Part 2

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 20:00:22 GMT

With all the planning in place, it was time to put it all into action. Starting with a diversionary attack from Tasmania Post, the Allied attempt to break out from the Anzac Beachhead began. In the afternoon of 6th of August, the Australians charged forward at Lone Pine, initiating what would become five days of brutal fighting. As darkness fell, the main assault headed off for its attack on Chunuk Bair. Timing was crucial. Chunuk Bair had to be taken before dawn, but a series of delays, navigational errors and command failure, saw the New Zealanders waiting at the edge of their objective, with the sun rising. It was all starting to unravel before it had really begun.

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The August 1915 Offensive Part 1

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 20:00:19 GMT

By August 1915, the Gallipoli Campaign had ground to a halt. Thousands of Allied troops had advanced not much further than they had on the first day of the Landing back in April. Something needed to happen to get this thing rolling again and bringing it to a successful conclusion. The British Commander of the expedition, General Sir Ian Hamilton was presented a modest plan from the Anzac Commander General William Birdwood, for an attack out of the Anzac position. Hamilton had been offered seven more Divisions to reinforce his beleaguered campaign, and in Birdwood's plan he saw the nucleus of a plan that would blow the campaign wide open. The August Offensive would be his last throw of the dice.

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Battle of Finschhafen Part 3

Tue, 23 May 2023 20:00:03 GMT

With the battle on a knife's edge, General Windeyer has to decide where to send his 20th Brigade for the best chance at finally breaking into Finschhafen. Between the Bumi River and the village lay a number of ridges and valleys, not to mention strong Japanese positions. And gnawing away at the back of Windeyer's mind is the potential threat from Sattleberg. If the Japanese broke through from there, then the 20th Brigade's supply centre and only chance of escape would be lost. But his only option was to attack and hope that reinforcements arrive in time to secure his flank.

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Battle of Finschhafen Part 2

Tue, 02 May 2023 20:00:33 GMT

Having established themselves around the Scarlet Beach and securing the village of Katika, the troops of the 20th Brigade began to push south towards Finschhafen. In their way stood the Bumi River, guarded by Japanese troops as members of the elite Japanese Marines. It was a tough fight just getting there, but a beachhead was soon established. However, the entire battle was now in danger of collapse. Far from being forced onto the defensive, it was becoming apparent that large numbers of Japanese troops were preparing to attack the beach head at Scarlet Beach, the Brigade's only avenue of supply. The 20th Brigade needed reinforcement, but pedantry at higher command would delay the dispatch of troops by a vital three days.

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Battle of Finschhafen Part 1

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 20:00:21 GMT

With Lae and Salamaua now in Allied hands, the next step in the expulsion of the Japanese from New Guinea would take place in Finschhafen. The 9th Division's 20th Brigade, veterans of Tobruk and El Alemein, would be the men tasked with making this amphibious attack. With assurances from that the US navy could land the men at the exact spot, the landing craft moved towards the beach in the pre-dawn light. Only a handful would be landed at the appropriate spot while the rest would have to sort themselves out quickly if they were going to push the Japanese back from the beachheads.

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RAAF in Vietnam

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 20:00:43 GMT

While the main focus of Australia's involvement in Vietnam tends to be on the army, the army lads could not have done their job without the support from the Royal Australian Air Force. Whether it was the transport of men and materiel provided by Wallaby Airlines, the combat support of 9 Squadron, the bombing provided by 2 Squadron or the medical evacuation by the medical squadron, the RAAF was there from the start in 1964 and were the last to leave in 1975.

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The Battle of Kapyong Valley Part 2

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 20:00:38 GMT

Having held off the Chinese offensive overnight, the Australians of 3RAR were in a tricky spot. They were running dangerously low on ammunition and medical supplies and the extraction of their wounded was problematic. Despite having given the Chinese a bloody nose, 3RAR had no choice but to fall back. But to withdraw while in contact with the enemy is one of the most difficult military operations to conduct. With the easier route cut off, the only way out was along the ridgelines. And then enemy weren't going to make it easy for them.

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The Battle of Kapyong Valley Part 1

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 20:00:10 GMT

In April 1951, as troops from 3RAR were resting and preparing for Anzac Day commemorations, the Chinese army launched its largest offensive since its entry to the Korean War. The UN front collapsed and soon the Australians on the right of the Kapyong Valley, with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Regiment on the left with some minor support units in between, would soon be all that stood between the Chinese army and a devastating victory.

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Yule, Christmas, Holiday

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 20:00:52 GMT

Happy Yule, Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday everyone. If you can't be good, be good at it. And if you're not in bed by midnight, go home......

The link to the Hardtack Podcast episode on the Sandakan Death March is here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/43rA9mjEdnNMN8rdR1p6wy?si=e3450ddc61b149c8

Or alternatively, search Hardtack Podcast where ever you get your podcasts.

Cheers everyone, see you next year.

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Reg Saunders

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 20:00:31 GMT

Coming from a long line of Indigenous servicemen, going all the way back to the Boer War, Reg Saunders joined the Second AIF in 1940. He would see action in Greece, avoid capture for eleven months on the island of Crete, and fight his way through the Salamaua Campaign. Along the way, he would be come the first aboriginal soldier to received a battlefield commission.

When the Korean War broke out, Reg once again volunteered to fight. He would lead his company during the ferocious fighting at Kapyong as well as other hard fought battles.

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Buna-Gona-Sanananda Part 3

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 20:00:24 GMT

After weeks of heavy fighting, only Gona had been successfully wrenched from the Japanese forces. The Australian 21st and 25th Brigades were worn out, and in front of Buna, the Americans were going nowhere. General Blamey had one more Brigade left to throw into the fight, the 18th Brigade. But their battalions were scattered between Milne Bay and the surrounding islands. Eventually they would be bought into the fighting at Buna, where the Japanese had been holding off every attempt by the US 32 Division. If this Brigade was also worn out, then the campaign to evict the Japanese from New Guinea would come to a grinding halt.

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Buna-Gona-Sanananda Part 2

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 20:00:08 GMT

With Allied forces checked at Buna and on the Sanananda Track, the campaign hinged on the Australian attack to seize the westernmost village on the Japanese beachhead, Gona. The 25th Brigade, already exhausted from the fighting across the Owen Stanley Ranges, was tasked to seize Gona, but the attack would soon wear down the 25th as well as the 21st Brigade which was sent in to relieve them. It would all come down to one final throw of the dice.

This episode is sponsored by History Guild in conjunction Military History and Heritage Victoria. Go and check them out at:

https://historyguild.org/

https://www.mhhv.org.au/

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Buna-Gona-Sanananda Part 1

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 20:00:10 GMT

By late 1942, the Allies had pushed the Japanese forces back along the Kokoda Track and were now down on the coastal plains of northern New Guinea. The Japanese may have been retreating, but they intended to hold the vital beachheads from Gona down through Sanananda to Buna. The fight to take the beachheads would be bloody and brutal, but first the Australians and their American comrades had to get there.

This episode is sponsored by HistoryGuild.org.

Also, check out Military History and Heritage Victoria at MHHV.org.au

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Long Tan - Part 2

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 20:00:46 GMT

As Delta Company, 6RAR move into the rubber plantation near Long Tan, 11 Platoon surprises a Vietnamese patrol and the first shots of the Battle are fired. With orders to chase the fleeing enemy, 11 Platoon unknowingly heads directly towards the North Vietnamese HQ. The next three hours would become an example of the best, and some of the worst, of the Australian military and their New Zealand comrades.

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Long Tan - Part 1

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 20:00:09 GMT

With the newly established 1st Australian Task Force settled in to Nui Dat, work started on neutralising the Viet Cong activity in the area. The Viet Cong had other ideas. They wanted to draw out the Australians and engulf them with overwhelming numbers. Despite the mounting evidence, Brigadier Jackson didn't believe the North Vietnamese Army had arrived in Phuoc Tuy Province, even after a mortar attack was unleashed on the Task Force Base.

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Hardtack Podcast

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 20:00:12 GMT

G'day everyone. Follow this here link to tune into the story of our most humiliating military defeat.

https://anchor.fm/hsmh/episodes/Episode-03-The-Great-Emu-War-e1m08lk

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Broodseinde Ridge

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 20:00:49 GMT

On the backs of the victories of Menin Road and Polygon Wood, the 1st Anzac Corps pushed on towards the dominating feature of Broodseinde Ridge. This time though, they would have the men of the 2nd Anzac Corps fighting alongside them. The Battle would see the Allied troops looking down upon green pastures for the first time in three years, bringing hope that the war may soon be over.

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Polygon Wood

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 20:00:50 GMT

Following on from the success of the Battle of Menin Road, the 4th and 5th Australian Divisions took over from the 1st and 2nd Divisions to launch the attack at Polygon Wood. But the day before the battle is to commence, a strong German counter attack seized the ground which elements of the 15th Brigade were to attack from. It was a precarious situation which needed to be rectified immediately or else the whole attack could be thrown into confusion.

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Menin Road

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 20:00:25 GMT

In 1917, General Haig began what would become known as the Third Battle of Ypres, with the intention of capturing the village of Passchendaele. But getting to the village would require a series of bite-and-hold battles. In September, the 1st and 2nd Australian Divisions, along with British and South African Divisions, launched the third in the series of assaults, at Menin Road. For the first time in history, two Australian divisions would be fighting side-by-side. If they were to ever have this chance again, they would have to prove just how formidable they could be.

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Ruin Ridge

Tue, 31 May 2022 20:00:13 GMT

During the 1st Battle of El Alamein the 9th Australian Division was tasked with the capture of Ruin Ridge. Despite heavy fighting during the opening stages they achieved some of their objectives, but their successes obliged General Rommel to divert large numbers of troops to contain the Australian advance. The fighting then became desperate, leading to heavy casualties and the near decimation of one battalion.

This episode is sponsored by History Guild. To check out their informative website, head to HistoryGuild.org.

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Lae - Salamaua Campaign

Tue, 10 May 2022 20:00:30 GMT

With control of the towns of Lae and Salamaua the troops of the Imperial Japanese Army were able to maintain control of shipping in and around the north coast of New Guinea and the island of New Britain. From here they had the potential to launch another attempt to capture Port Moresby. For the Allies, having pushed the Japanese back across the Owen Stanley Ranges and out of Buna, Gona and Sanananda, the opportunity to push the Japanese out of Salamaua and Lae. But the terrain would be just as formidable an enemy as the Japanese.

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Anzac Day 2022

Sun, 24 Apr 2022 02:18:28 GMT

To all our veterans, young and old, thank you for your service and have a good day tomorrow.

Lest We Forget

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Battle of the Apple Orchard and Pakchon

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 20:00:07 GMT

Australia's 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) joined the UN Forces in Korea as they pushed north into North Korea. Their first battle in the was was the highly successful Battle of the Apple Orchard. Leading the UN Forces north, along with the Argyll and Sutherland Regiment and Middlesex Regiment of the 27th Commonwealth Brigade, they pushed the North Koreans back almost to the Manchurian Border. But when the Chinese entered the war on the side of the North Koreans, 3RAR played a major role in halting their advance.

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No. 3 Squadron RAAF

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 20:00:46 GMT

As the Allied armies fought across North Africa, first against the Italians and then the Vichy French and Rommel's Afrika Korps, one squadron of the RAAF was there from the beginning. No. 3 Squadron was the first RAAF squadron to leave Australia and played an important part in many of the important battles from 1940 to 1943 across North Africa, Tunisia and Sicily.

This episode is sponsored by History Guild. To find out more about History Guild, go to https://historyguild.org

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Isurava to Ioribaiwa Part II

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 01:54:22 GMT

Having been forced to abandon the position at Isurava, Maroubra Force conducted at textbook fighting withdrawal to Efogi. The subsequent Battle of Mission Ridge nearly bought Maroubra Force to disaster and the fighting moved south to Ioribaiwa.

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No. 3 Squadron World War 1

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 20:00:31 GMT

While researching for an upcoming episode, I came across a couple of incidents involving No. 3 Squadron in World War 1. I thought they were interesting so I'm sharing them in this bonus episode. Enjoy.

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Isurava to Ioribaiwa Part 1

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 20:00:00 GMT

After the Japanese army captured the village of Kokoda, the 39th Militia Battalion fell back to the next defensive position at Isurava. Exhausted, battered and bruised, the 39th dug in and waited. As the Japanese headed south, the 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions of the AIF were making their way north to relieve the 39th. The defence of New Guinea would be determined by which force arrived first.

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Nurses Part 2

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 20:00:02 GMT

It's been a long time coming, but in this episode we look at the role Australian nurses played during World War 2, Korea, Malaya and Vietnam. With the changing methods of waging war, the challenges facing nurses required innovation, adaptability and courage. Wherever and whenever they were needed to treat sick and wounded troops, they went and enhanced the reputation their predecessors had established during World War 1.

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Thomas Blamey

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 20:00:03 GMT

With a career spanning two world wars, few Australians have played such an important role in the history of Australia at arms. Landing at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915, he proved himself to be a courageous and competent soldier. In 1918 he served as Chief of Staff to General John Monash helping to plan the pivotal battles of Hamel and Amiens. Throughout World War II he was Australia's top ranked soldier from the Middle East to New Guinea and Borneo. His military achievements were sometimes offset controversy during his tenure as Victorian Commissioner of Police and in some of his actions during World War II.

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Private Bruce Kingsbury

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 14:00:47 GMT

In this bonus episode we tell the story of Private Bruce Kingsbury, the first Australian to receive a Victoria Cross for actions in New Guinea.

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Peaceful Penetration

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 20:00:20 GMT

After playing a large role in halting the German Spring Offensive outside of Villers Bretonneux in April 1918, Australian troops saw an opportunity to hit back and recapture large sections of the German front line. But rather than launch a full scale battle, the unofficial operation 'Peaceful Penetration' managed to push the German line back an average of three miles with very little fighting.

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Royal Australian Navy in WWI - Part III

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 20:00:16 GMT

In this third and final episode on the Royal Australian Navy in the Great War, we follow HMAS Pioneer on her patrol off German East Africa. Then we turn to the main theatre of the war, the North Sea. The HMAS Australia, HMAS Sydney and HMAS Melbourne joined in the blockade of Germany and for some members of Australia's crew, the opportunity to take part in a raid which would set the formula for Commando units in the next war.

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Royal Australian Navy WWI - Part 2

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 20:00:23 GMT

With the first AIF convoy safely arrived in Egypt, the escorting ships were free to be deployed elsewhere. But while the ANZAC troops were landing at Gallipoli, the submarine AE2 was pushing forward through the Turkish minefields embarking on five days of 'running amok' throughout the Dardanelles. Later in the Campaign, the 1st Royal Australian Navy Bridging Train forged their own part of the Gallipoli story supporting the British landing at Suvla Bay. And we tell the forgotten story of the RAN's 'almost' mutiny.

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Royal Australian Navy WWI - Part 1

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 20:00:23 GMT

In 1900 the Naval defence of Australia was in the hands of the British Admiralty. The need for an Australian Navy, run by Australia for Australian purposes was keenly felt in the Antipodes. By 1914, the fledgling Royal Australian Navy was the first Australian unit to engage with German troops and by the end of 1914, they had claimed an important victory which would keep the Indian Ocean more or less free from threat from Germany.

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The Battle of Romani

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 20:00:24 GMT

With the Gallipoli campaign won, the Turkish army turned its attention to the prize of the Sinai - The Suez Canal. Standing in their way were Allied forces including the Australian Lighthorse and New Zealand Mounted Infantry. The Battle of Romani would decide who would control the most important shipping route in the world.

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The Siege of Elands River

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 20:00:41 GMT

In August 1900, a garrison consisting of majority Australian troops were besieged by vastly superior Boer forces. For nearly two weeks the garrison held out, even after being offered an honourable surrender by the Boer Commander, Koos de la Ray. In the end, the Garrison still held the post and it was the Boers who left empty handed.

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The Team

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 20:00:54 GMT

Australia's longest running individual unit commitment was an advisory group working with the South Vietnamese forces against the North. Operating individually and in small groups, the advisors moved into an active combat role, leading the troops they had trained and in the process becoming the most decorated unit in the Vietnam War.

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Diggers in Russia

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 20:00:40 GMT

After the Russian Revolution and the withdrawal of Russia from the war, a bitter civil war erupted for the control of Russia. In 1919, a British volunteer force, including Australians, was deployed to Northern Russia to assist the Russian White Army against the Communist Red Army. The Great War was over, but for some the prospect of another fight was too good to ignore.

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The Borneo Campaign Part 3

Tue, 25 May 2021 14:06:40 GMT

With Tarakan and North Borneo secured, the last great Allied attack of World War II would take place with the landings to take Balikpapan. Despite the war being almost over, the capture of Balikpapan was deemed vital and so despite disquiet among some of the Australian High Command, the invasion went forward.

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The Borneo Campaign Part 2

Tue, 04 May 2021 20:00:57 GMT

With Tarakan secured, the second phase of the Borneo Campaign could be launched. The recapture of Brunei and North Borneo would require landings on Brunei, Labaun Island, Muara Island and North Borneo. The landings were carried out unopposed, but as Australian troops pushed forward, Japanese resistance grew, especially on Labaun Island and the enemy stronghold known as The Pocket.

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Anzac Day 2021

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 20:00:48 GMT

A short episode to acknowledge Anzac Day and a quick look at some of the lesser known events which have occurred on or around 25th April.

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The Borneo Campaign Part 1

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 20:00:42 GMT

The campaign to take Borneo from the Japanese was the final Allied Operation in the South West Pacific. Before the landings on Borneo could take place, the island of Tarakan was to be taken so the airfields could be used to support the main landings. The fight for Tarakan developed into a prolonged slogging match against the terrain and the Japanese.

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The Battle of Thermopylae

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 20:00:37 GMT

In 1941 German troops invaded Greece. The Allied attempt to halt the Axis advance failed and the Allies headed south for evacuation. To buy time Australian and New Zealand troops fought a rear guard action in the same area where King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans had faced the invading army of Xerxes.

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The Battles of Bullecourt

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 20:00:34 GMT

In 1917 as part of the Battle of Arras, Australian troops were ordered to take a section of the Hindenburg Line near the village of Bullecourt. With no supporting artillery, relying on the support of the un-tried tanks, the troops of the 2nd Division advanced into heavy enemy fire and uncut wire. Their attack failed. Two weeks later, another attempt was made and although Bullecourt was captured, the Australians suffered heavy losses.

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Z Special Unit

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 20:00:34 GMT

With operations in the Pacific covering millions of square kilometres, a new kind of unit was needed to gather intelligence and disrupt Japanese operations. Z Special Unit was formed and from 1943 to the end of the war, the men operated behind enemy lines, paying a high price for the valuable information they provided.

To help me raise funds for Soldier On, please head to https://fundraise.soldieron.org.au/fundraisers/warwickoneill/marchon

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Leslie Morshead

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 20:00:42 GMT

Joining the Australian Imperial Force as a Private in 1914, Leslie Morshead would go on to become commander of the 33rd Battalion in World War 1. He masterminded the defence of Tobruk in 1941 and by the time World War 2 came to a close, he was in command of 1 Corps and slated as the next commander of the 2nd AIF should anything happen to General Blamey.

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The Malayan Emergency

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 20:00:49 GMT

In 1948 communist insurgents attempted to gain control of the Malayan Peninsula from British rule. Even though World War II had only recently finished, Australian troops once again headed overseas to try to maintain peace and stability in a region rapidly descending into chaos.

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The Wilmansrust Affair

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 20:00:55 GMT

In 1901, while operating in the Transvaal region of South Africa, the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles were attacked by a Boer Commando, setting off a series of incidents which would have ramifications for the Disciplinary provision of the Australian Defence Act.

Also, please follow this link to the Timor Awakening podcast interview with Paul Miller:

https://www.timorawakening.com/podcast/episode/ec2c50e5/dusty-miller_on-workaholism-suicide-losing-loves-ones-and-finding-your-shield

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39th Militia Battalion at Kokoda

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 20:30:00 GMT

With the 2nd AIF still returning from North Africa, the defence of Papua fell to the young men of the 39th Militia Battalion. Undertrained, with obsolete weapons they were to face the onslaught of the seemingly unstoppable Japanese Army.

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Les Clisby and the Battle of France

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 00:10:00 GMT

At the beginning of World War II, many Australians were serving in RAF squadrons and were thrown into the fight against Germany. Les Clisby was one of these men and created a name for himself in the short time he fought the Luftwaffe.

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John 'Barney' Hines

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 07:00:00 GMT

Australia's souvenir king of World War 1.

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Special Episode 1

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 11:37:00 GMT

Just a couple of things from my recent trip around Queensland.

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Cowra Breakout

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 07:00:00 GMT

In August 1944, up to nine hundred Japanese Prisoners of War staged a breakout from the POW camp outside the small New South Wales town of Cowra.

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Peacekeepers

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 07:00:00 GMT

Since 1947, Australians have been involved in peacekeeping operations throughout the world's hot spots. They have conducted themselves with the same professionalism as in combat roles, witnessing some horrific events in the pursuit of peace.

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Aussies in Bomber Command

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 07:00:00 GMT

Throughout World War II many Australians flew with Bomber Command either within English Squadrons or in the newly formed Royal Australian Air Force. They took part in many of the important raids including the Dam Busters, Berlin, Nuremburg and D-Day.

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The Scrap Iron Flotilla

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 07:00:00 GMT

In World War II, five outdated British warships were given to the Royal Australian Navy. German propaganda named these ships the Scrap Iron Flotilla, but they would prove their worth throughout operations in the Mediterranean and the Pacific.

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Nurses Part 1

Wed, 27 May 2020 07:00:00 GMT

As Australian soldiers headed to the Boer War and World War 1, a dedicated group of women followed them. Many soldiers owed their lives to the brave women of the Australian Army Nursing Corps.

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The Battle of Magdhaba

Wed, 06 May 2020 07:00:00 GMT

By 23 December 1916, the Desert Column under the command of Harry Chauvel had captured the town of El Arish and was driving across the Sinai in pursuit of the Turkish Army. In their way was the village of Magdhaba with a large Turkish force entrenched in a number of redoubts. Twenty three miles from their only supply of water, the village had to be captured in one day, or the Column would face disaster.

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Anzac Day 2020

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 22:00:00 GMT

It's going to be a different Anzac Day this year, but as always our thoughts will be with all service personnel, past and present, as we commemorate this important day.

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Battle of Bin Bah

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 07:00:00 GMT

In 1969 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces infiltrated the village of Bin Bah, approximately ten miles north of the Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat. 5th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment was sent to deny them.

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General Sir Brudenell White

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 07:01:00 GMT

General White was one of the unsung heroes of Australia's involvement in World War 1. He was largely responsible for the raising of the first A.I.F, the Gallipoli Evacuation and the administrative function of the Australian Divisions on the Western Front.

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Introduction to the Australian Military History Podcast

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 07:00:00 GMT

This is a quick introduction to cover what I am hoping to achieve with this podcast.

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