Digger History

In April 1918, the top scoring fighter ace of the First World War, Manfred von Richthofen, was shot down and killed over the Somme. Even now, over a century later, the debate continues about who shot down the Red Baron. I’d like to give a special thanks to the Military Museums in Calgary, AB Canada, and especially to the volunteer who showed me through the Air Force part of the museum (and whose c...

In 1941, Australian and New Zealand forces fought in Greece and Crete. The ANZAC Division fought vital rearguard actions to allow other troops to evacuate. This is a brief story about the ANZACs in Greece and Crete during World War 2.

The small port town of Tobruk was of vital importance to both sides in the North African campaign in 1942. A small group of Australian, British and Indian defenders were tasked with holding the besieged town against the German and Italian forces. German propaganda thought they were insulting these troops by calling them rats, but instead, the defenders used it as a badge of honour - The Rats of To...

The Hat KFF (Khaki Fur Felt) more commonly known as the Slouch Hat, is probably the most iconic symbol of the Australian Army. In this episode I talk about the history of the slouch hat and how it has evolved over the last 150 years.

On the 31st of October 1917, one of the last great cavalry changes in history was carried out. And it wasn’t by cavalry, but Australian Light Horse mounted infantry.

In this episode I talk about the landings on the Gallipoli peninsula on the 25th April 1916, the day that was to become known as ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand.

In this episode I talk about the nations involved in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915

Growing up in Australia, I learned about ANZAC Day and the Gallipoli landings from an early age. But not much was taught at school about the reasons and events behind the Gallipoli campaign. In this episode I explore some of the events leading up to the Ottoman Empire entering World War 1 on the side of the Central powers and the reasons why the Gallipoli landings took place.

The word Anzac is protected by law in Australia and New Zealand. There are laws about how the word can and cannot be used. In this episode I talk about the Protection of the Word ‘ANZAC’ Act of 1921.

It’s Dawn on the 25th of April. As the sun slowly rises the haunting sound of a bagpipe breaks through the pre dawn silence. How did bagpipes become a part of our military traditions. In this episode I talk about bagpipes at war.

The Royal Australian Air Force is the second oldest Air Force in the world after the RAF. In this episode I talk about the formation of the RAAF in 1921 as an independent branch of Australia’s Defence Forces.

Rolled oats, golden syrup, flour, coconut … if you grew up in Australia, you’ll recognise that these ingredients combined make Anzac Biscuits But why are these biscuits so untwined the ANZAC tradition, did they originate in Australia or New Zealand, and why is it illegal to call them cookies?

During World War 1, over 4000 Australian, New Zealand, and British soldiers served in the Imperial Camel Corps. Join Keith as he talks about the time the ANZACs rode camels.

In this episode Keith talks about how the Australian Army and Navy came about after federation in 1901