True Blue Conversations Podcast

Episode 5 goes beyond Kokoda as we look at the 7th Division's next campaign. This week David is joined by best selling author and historian Philip Bradley as they discuss the battle of Shaggy Ridge. Presenter: David Howell Guest: Philip Bradley - Author and Historian Editor: Kyle Watkins

Genocidal massacres and human suffering cost the lives of an estimated one million barely describe the terror endured by Rwandans in the mid-1990s. Australian peacekeepers were sent to help as part of United Nations peacekeeping efforts. However, constrained by the UN peacekeeping rules-of-engagement, Australian peacekeepers watched in horror as the Rwandan Patriotic Army brazenly murdered over 4,000 people at the Kibeho Displaced Persons Camp on 22 April 1995. Platoon Sergeant Kevin 'Irish' O'Halloran was an eyewitness of the massacre. Kevin discusses his book, Pure Massacre, and shares his insights into what many have described as a time of pure evil. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Kevin O'Halloran Editor: Kyle Watkins

An army marches on their stomachs, so what did Australian soldiers eat during the Kokoda Campaign? Join David Howell as he discusses rations with archaeologist Owen Budd, President of the 2/25 Battalion living history group. Presenter: David Howell Guest: Owen Budd, President of the 2/25 Battalion living history group. Editor: Kyle Watkins

Regarded by many historians as one of Australia's finest feats on the Western Front, the Battle of Mont St Quentin was part of the Allied counter-offensive against the Germans during the last months of the war. In a fierce struggle of attack and counter-attack, the Australian achieved an important strategic victory that stunned the Allied leaders. Battlefield historian Mat McLachlan shares his unique insights about the Battle and how the men were able to claim victory over a key part of the German's defence before the Hindenburg Line. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Mat McLachlan, Battlefield Tours Editor: Kyle Watkins

This week on Kokoda Kast David speaks with historian and best selling author of Jungle Warriors -Adrian Threlfal. The two discuss Australian soldiers moving from First World War tactics and fighting in the desert to being introduced to Jungle fighting. Where the Australians as prepared as the Japanese? Where did we first fight in the jungle? Presenter: David Howell Guest: Adrian Threlfal author of Jungle Warriors Editor: Kyle Watkins

A fearsome Allied onslaught of 75,000 men, approximately 500 tanks, almost 2,000 aircraft, armoured cars and artillery on 8 August 1918 signalled the start of what has become known as the One Hundred Days Offensive. The Battle of Amiens raised the morale of the Allied troops while simultaneously demoralising the Germans. Ultimately, the success of the Allied strategies convinced the German High Command that the war was unwinnable. With victory within their grasp, the Allies utilised the combination of bitter experience gained from four years of fighting and tactics that made better use of the new forms of warfare. Military historian Paul Reed discusses the battle strategies, the men who created them and those executed them on the battlefield. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Paul Reed, Military Historian Editor: Kyle Watkins

In this episode David speaks with Gary Traynor from Medals Gone Missing about the uniform and equipment Australian soldiers used during the Kokoda Campaign. From Khaki uniforms and leather leggings of the militia to the dyed green jungle greens of the AIF. This episode details everything from what the soldiers carried in the packs to what they wore on their feet. Presenter: David Howell Guest: Gary Traynor author of Medals Gone Missing Editor: Kyle Watkins

The role of Army Chaplains is not limited to the religious or spiritual requirements of Defence personnel. During World War 1, Army chaplains enlisted to serve in the Australian Imperial Force. Since then, they have played a role in Australia's Defence Services that is often little understood outside of military circles. Former Australian Army Chaplain, Stephen Neuhaus shares his perspectives about how the role has changed since WW1 to modern times. Currently serving with the Army Reserves, Stephen offers personal insights about the challenges involved in balancing religious beliefs with the necessities and duties of military life. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Stephen Neuhaus, Former Army Chaplain (2007-2013) Australian Army now Australian Army Reserves Editor: Kyle Watkins

David Howell on Anzac Day 2020 is reflecting on Kokoda. He is interviewed by the grandson of a 39th Battalion Veteran, Dan Jones from Dan Jones Backstage. David will be covering some of the little known aspects of the service and sacrifice of the 39th Battalion and the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels roles in the Campaign.

By November 1916, the Somme battlefield was in a condition that is almost incomprehensible to 21st century perceptions of war. Men and animals drowned and disappeared in mud. The men fought not only their opponents but also the muddy conditions reputed to be even worse than those of Ypres and Flanders. Fought near the small French village of Flers, The Battle of Flers, a part of the Somme Campaign, witnessed Allied victories and losses in the bitter struggle to advance. Somme battlefield guide and resident of Flers, Pete Smith shares his unique perspective of the events of 5th November 1916. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Pete Smith - Battlefield guide for Mat Mclachlan Battlefield Tours Editor: Kyle Watkins For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory.

In April 1918, determined to stop the German Army from breaking through, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig famously urged the British and Commonwealth troops to fight grimly with their 'backs to the wall' and 'to the end'. Included in the troops was the Australian 1st Division. The German Army was intent on dislodging the Allies from the strategic French town of Hazebrouck as it supplied the Allies with food and munitions. Dr Meleah Hampton from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra provides insights about the Battle of Hazebrouck and the tenacity of the Allies in repelling the formidable German Army. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Dr Meleah Hampton - Australian War Memorial Editor: Kyle Watkins For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory. For more information on how to research your relatives during the World War 1 visit below: https://answeredthecall.mykajabi.com/webinar

The Rats of Tobruk hold a special place in Australian military history for the role they played in the Siege of Tobruk in World War II. Besieged by General Erwin Rommel's undefeated Afrika Korps, the Rats relied upon ingenuity and dogged determination to provide the Allies with a morale-boosting victory. pproximately 14,000 Australian and 12,000 British and Indian troops were involved. Dr Karl James from the Australian War Memorial shares insights into the events of 1941 and the men for whom being described as a 'rat' became a badge of honour. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Dr Karl James - Australian War Memorial Editor: Kyle Watkins For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory. For more information on how to research your relatives during the World War 1 visit below: https://answeredthecall.mykajabi.com/webinar

World War 1 saw husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, cousins, uncles and nephews enlist for a war that would shatter families in Australia and in every country affected by the war. For the men, the bonds of family were strong. Some served together. Some died together. The stories of their service and heartbreak have been left behind in diaries, letters and other memorabilia. Author Adam Holloway has used these sources along with family oral histories to re-create the story of 11 members of his extended family who fought and died in the cauldron of the Great War from Gallipoli to the Western Front. For your chance to win a copy of Duty Nobly Done leave a comment or review to this podcast and the winner will be announced on the next episode! Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Adam Holloway - Author of Duty Nobly Done Editor: Kyle Watkins For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory. For more information on how to research your relatives during the World War 1 visit below: https://answeredthecall.mykajabi.com/webinar

The Gallipoli Campaign of 1915 was the Australian Imperial Force's brutal introduction to the realities of war. Suffering alongside them were soldiers from other Commonwealth countries. In this podcast, Adam discusses with oral historian Peter Hart, the British Army's experience of Gallipoli. Peter provides a British perspective of what occurred and the campaign's significance in British military history. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Peter Hart - Oral Historian Editor: Kyle Watkins For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory. For more information on how to research your relatives during the World War 1 visit below: https://answeredthecall.mykajabi.com/webinar

Battlefield historian Pete Smith joins Adam to discuss 1918 as victory was not apparent for the Allies as the beginning of 1918. The fierce fighting of previous years had cost the AIF dearly in the numbers of men killed, wounded or permanently injured. Harsh lessons had been learned as both sides of the War came to terms with the new technologies and strategies being used. The German Spring Offensive pushed the Allies to their limits and led to changes in the command structure which sought to better co-ordinate their efforts. The One Hundred Days Offensive finally broke the German Army's resolve and ensured victory for the Allies. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Pete Smith - Battlefield guide for Mat Mclachlan Battlefield Tours Editor: Kyle Watkins For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory. For more information on how to research your relatives during the World War 1 visit below: https://answeredthecall.mykajabi.com/webinar

The Western Front in 1917 was a place of grim statistics and bitter fighting for the AIF. The Allied and the German armies were locked in a fierce struggle for supremacy which saw both sides suffer heavy casualty losses. While some of the battles that occurred during this year are well known by Australians, others have been slower to achieve widespread recognition. At home, the true cost of the War was becoming painfully clear. By the end of 1917, despite the bravery and sacrifice of the troops, victory still appeared to be a distant possibility. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Dr Aaron Pegram Editor: Kyle Watkins For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory. For more information on how to research your relatives during the World War 1 visit below: https://answeredthecall.mykajabi.com/webinar

In just under seven weeks, from 23 July – 9 September 1916, the Australian Imperial Force suffered almost as many casualties as they had in the torturous Gallipoli campaign. The Battle of Pozières was one of the AIF's bitter introductions to fighting in the Somme Offensive on the Western Front. The goal was to break the German Army defences along the Somme River, capture the high ground and break through their formidable front line. The cost of the attacks and counter-attacks during the Somme Campaign was so high that both sides lost over a million lives each in what has been described as one of history's worst bloodbaths. For the volunteer Australians, this battle was part of what some survivors called a 'bloodthirsty war'. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Mat McLachlan, Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours Editor: Kyle Watkins For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory.

For the survivors of the fierce fighting which characterised the Battles of Bullecourt, the sheer waste of approximately 10,000 lives as a result of questionable leadership from those in command, the trauma of what they experience haunted them for the remainder of their lives. The false belief in an early victory and the failure of the new technology of tanks were a fatal combination. The heavy toll in casualties severely depleted the AIF to such an extent that it did not fully recover for the remainder of the war. In 1917, a year that has been described by historians as a year of disasters, these Battles are remembered for the lives lost for so little gain. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Joanne Hook, Battlefield Historian Editor: Kyle Watkins For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory.

For many families who suffered the loss of a family member in either the First and Second World Wars, the heartache of not knowing their loved one's final resting place deepened their grief and sense of helplessness. For these families, they had to endure the torment of mourning with questions that could not be answered. Since 2013, Fallen Diggers Incorporated, a non-for-profit organisation, has made it their mission to find as many of the estimated over 30,000 missing Australian soldiers as possible. Through dedicated research and battlefield archaeology, Fallen Diggers shares how they work to identify Unknown Australian soldiers as it is their belief that those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country deserve to have the honour of a known grave. Whether brought "in from the cold" of a field or lying in an unknown cemetery grave, Fallen Diggers aim is to be able to say, "Stand down soldier. Your duty is done. Rest in Peace knowing you have been found. Lest We Forget." Presenter: Adam Blum Guests: Andrew Pitaway & Dennis Frank Editor: Kyle Watkins For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or subscribe to our YouTube channel TrueBlueHistory.

Fought on Australia's northern doorstep, the Dutch New Guinea campaign 1942-1945 featured some of the most brutal fighting Australian forces were to endure during the Pacific War. In this episode of True Blue History, Adam and leading World War II historian, David Howell discuss the vital importance of this campaign to the Allies and the Japanese Imperial Army. They explore why this campaign is not as well known or understood, particularly by Australians, as other more famous World War II theatres of war. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: David Howell Editor: Kyle Watkins for more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or subscribe to our YouTube channel TrueBlueHistory.

Adam speaks with Simon Louagie, the manager of Talbot House "The Every Mans Club" in Belgium, Talbot House was founded in 1915 during World War 1 by Chaplain Philip "Tubby" Clayton, hear Tubby's and many more stories about Talbot House in this episode of True Blue History. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest Speaker: Simon Louagie Editor: Kyle Watkins