Valour

George "Snowy" Howell packed a lot into less than 1 year on the Western Front. A Military Medal at Pozieres followed by a Victoria Cross at 2nd Bullecourt make Howell one of Australia's highest decorated soldiers. Injuries at Bullecourt ended Howells war but he signed up again for garrison duty in World War 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We return to the Western front for the battles of 1917. the two battles at Bullecourt during the Arras offensive took a heavy toll on the Australian 1st and 2nd divisions. 1st Bullecourt providing an excellent lesson in how not to conduct an assault on the Western Front. 2nd Bullecourt showed what could be done with better planning and implementation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

No podcast covering World War One is complete without a look at the air war. Join us as we look at the key technological developments during the war and the leading aces of the combatant nations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our 50th episode we explore the largely forgotten Naval Battles of Coronel and the Falklands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Far less well known than the submarine campaigns of World War 2 the U-Boat campaign of the great war set the stage for what was to come. With limited counter measures the submarine menace was not to be underestimated and ultimately, was a major factor in the US entry into World War 1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 48 we explore the key surface actions of World War 1 and the naval strategies that helped win the war. Rule Brittania adapted from a poem by James Thompson (1700-1748). Lyrics Thomas Augustine Arne (1710–1778) performed by Albert Farrington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Balkans was a savage sideshow of World War 1 featuring all the horrors that modern industrial warfare could create. Add in extreme cold during Winter and Tropical diseases during the warmer months and you have a uniquely miserable campaign. Sources: Balkan Battlegrounds (US Army Center of Military History, 2002), The First World War by John Keegan, The Salonika Front by Alan Wakefield, Austral...

The Eastern Front of World War 1 involved Millions of Soldiers fighting across a seamingly limitless frontline. It involved Epic Victories and defeats for all sides involved and often shaped the strategic thinking that shaped Australia's war time experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rich wants to cover the battle of Flers Courcellette which primarily involved New Zealanders, Canadians and the first ever use of tanks. Dave questions Rich incessantly about the diversion from our primarily Australian content. Sources: The Eastern Front 1914–1917 by Norman Stone, The First World War by John Keegan, New Zealand and the First World War 1914–1919, Official History of Canada in the F...

Artillery was the most deadly Weapon of World War 1. The full horrors of massed artillery were particularly noticed at Verdun and on the Somme. In episode 44 we explore the common weapons, shell types, fuses and tactics used. Sources: Charles Bean’s Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 (Vol. III), Australian War Memorial, The Somme by Robin Prior and Trevor Wilson, World War I Art...

In this episode we look at the VC actions of two postumous VCs from Pozieres and Mouquet Farm. Thomas Cooke and Claud Castleton. Sources: Australian War Memorial, London Gazette (September 9 and 26, 1916), Charles Bean’s Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 (Vol. III), Eastern Daily Press (July 1, 2006), Wikipedia (List of First World War Victoria Cross recipients) Hosted on Acast...

Mouquet Farm was a battle within the broader battle of Pozieres which in itself was a battle during the Somme Offensive. This small area saw 6800 Australian casualties within a few weeks. Sources: Charles Bean’s Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 (Vol. III), Australian War Memorial records, London Gazette (September 9, 1916), Scott Bennett’s Pozières: The Anzac Story, Anzac Port...

Martin O'Meara a strapping young lad from Lorra Ireland Migrated to Australia to make his way in the world A VC action and significant injury at Mouquet Farm subsequent woundings at Bullecourt and Messines Ridge all took their toll. O'Meara's story testament to the everyday heroism and the everyday trauma of the Western Front. Sources: Australian War Memorial, Australian Dictionary of Biography (R...

A young man, an adventurous spirit and 3 different wars in South Africa. Sources Australian War Memorial, Australian Dictionary of Biography (Merrilyn Lincoln, 1981), London Gazette (December 23, 1915) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Leake single handedly cleared a German machine gun post at Pozieres. His subsequent desertion speaks volumes to the traumas that soldiers suffered, particularly on the Somme. Sources: Australian War Memorial, London Gazette (September 9, 1916), Wikipedia, InDaily, National WWII Museum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Jackson's story during a trench raid near Armentieres is truly remarkable. Join us for his amazing story. Sources: Draws on Australian War Memorial records, London Gazette (September 9, 1916), Harry Willey’s biographies, and Hay Historical Society research. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pozieres was Australia's horrific Somme experience an experience that saw approximately 20% of the AIF become casualties in a period of 6 weeks. Script draws on Charles Bean’s Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 , Australian War Memorial records, and secondary sources like Pozières: The Anzac Story by Scott Bennett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arthur Blackburn had a unique experience encompassing the most awful locations Australians found themselves in both world wars. Blackburn was a scout at Gallipoli and made it further inland on day 1 than any other Australian soldier in the whole campaign. He then won the VC at Pozieres before being invalided home with pleurisy. Pursuing a legal career between wars Blackburn packed away the wig and...

Rich and Dave give a high level round up of the battle of the Somme to give some context to the Australian involvement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 1916 the ANZACS arrive in France and are deployed to the Nursery Sector near Armentieres. In July 1916 they are engaged in a diversionary action intended to draw German reserves away from the Somme. The result is a one sided slaughter. Australia's heaviest loss of life in any single day of combat. Charles Bean referred to the battle of Fromelles as a "tactical abortion" The diggers just call...

In this episode we pick up on the Western front from March 1915 to April 1916. We also look at the reconstruction of the AIF after Gallipoli. It is this return to Egypt for training, expansion and specialisation that gave the ANZACS the foundation to build an elite fighting force. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The issue of replacing killed and injured troops leads to intense debate which split Australia with Church and Union leaders pitched against conservative politicians. The outcomes of the conscription referenda would echo through Australia throughout the twentieth century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did the allies evacuate from under the noses of the Turks? and how was Cape Helles evacuated virtually unopposed 18 days after the ANZAC withdrawal? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Gurkhas have a proud history dating back to 1815. In this special episode we look at the VC action of Lalbahadur Thapa in Tunisia 1943. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Throssell Won the VC for his actions on Hill 60. Fighting with the 10th Light Horse Throssell saw combat in Gallipoli and Palestine. These experiences including the loss of his brother saw Throssell return home as a pacifist, searching for answers. Throssell struggled in his post war life which ended tragically. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.