Australian War History Podcast

This episode discusses Davis and his colleagues in the ABC in Singapore, his impressions of the Gurkhas after he did an assignment in Borneo, the war clouds gathering over Vietnam and his transfer to Vietnam on 13 April, 1964. The episode closes after we hear of Davis’ assessment of General Westmoreland, the American Commander-in-Chief in Vietnam and the frugality of the equipment of the Viet Cong.    Patreon: AusWarHistory Facebook: AusWarHistory

Episode two continues to deal with Davis’ trademark grit that is introduced in the first podcast. He overcomes a terrible ACL knee football injury and develops a love of running. His physical fitness and never-say-die attitude stands him in good stead in the seemingly impossible challenges Vietnam throws at him. 

As well, his academic prowess and weakness for members of the opposite sex are introduced and an affinity with Errol Flynn who attended the same school as he did in Hobart. It also deals with his growing restlessness in Australia and the attraction of South East Asia. We look briefly at the fall of Singapore in 1942 and the powerful emotions he experiences when he steps off the plane at Paya Lebar or Singapore Airport in September, 1964. The Vietnam adventure is about to begin. 

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In this episode, we talk about the beginning of his life, from losing his mother at an early age to then suffering from Polio and learning about how life and death are just part of the different seasons of life. We discern that his ability to weather the many challenges of Vietnam has its origins in his early days in Tasmania.  

have just completed a memoir on my first 18 years in Kalgoorlie. Its title Around the Blue Laminex Table is taken from the times when we sat at the blue Laminex kitchen table and listened to my father regaling the family with unforgettable stories about his days as a woodchopper, gambler and contractor who supplied the sheep stations north-east of Kalgoorlie. My uncle, William John Sheehan, the principal focus of the podcast on Timor, also figures prominently. Other important Goldfields' characters as well as some who have lived their lives in obscurity are included in the narrative. I have chosen two of the twenty-two chapters to read aloud during a podcast to give you a sense of the underlying qualities of the non-fiction narrative. One has a military bent to it and the other deals with one of the worst car accidents in Western Australia’s history. If the two stories have piqued your interest, you can purchase the book by e-mailing me at [email protected]. The cost of the book is $35 with postage within Australia an extra $10. In your email, you would need to include your full name, your forwarding address and mobile number so that I can track the book to ensure it arrives at your home safely. My bank account details are as follows: Account Name: Wayne Lamotte BSB: 066-173 Account Number: 1050 9910 Wayne Lamotte.

Australian War History Links:

facebook.com/auswarhistory

patreon.com/auswarhistory

I have just completed a memoir on my first 18 years in Kalgoorlie. Its title Around the Blue Laminex Table is taken from the times when we sat at the blue Laminex kitchen table and listened to my father regaling the family with unforgettable stories about his days as a woodchopper, gambler and contractor who supplied the sheep stations north-east of Kalgoorlie. My uncle, William John Sheehan, the principal focus of the podcast on Timor, also figures prominently. Other important Goldfields' characters as well as some who have lived their lives in obscurity are included in the narrative. I have chosen two of the twenty-two chapters to read aloud during a podcast to give you a sense of the underlying qualities of the non-fiction narrative. One has a military bent to it and the other deals with one of the worst car accidents in Western Australia’s history. If the two stories have piqued your interest, you can purchase the book by e-mailing me at [email protected]. The cost of the book is $35 with postage within Australia an extra $10. In your email, you would need to include your full name, your forwarding address and mobile number so that I can track the book to ensure it arrives at your home safely.   Wayne Lamotte.

I have just completed a memoir on my first 18 years in Kalgoorlie. Its title Around the Blue Laminex Table is taken from the times when we sat at the blue Laminex kitchen table and listened to my father regaling the family with unforgettable stories about his days as a woodchopper, gambler and contractor who supplied the sheep stations north-east of Kalgoorlie. My uncle, William John Sheehan, the principal focus of the podcast on Timor, also figures prominently. Other important Goldfields' characters as well as some who have lived their lives in obscurity are included in the narrative. I have chosen two of the twenty-two chapters to read aloud during a podcast to give you a sense of the underlying qualities of the non-fiction narrative. One has a military bent to it and the other deals with one of the worst car accidents in Western Australia’s history. If the two stories have piqued your interest, you can purchase the book by e-mailing me at [email protected]. The cost of the book is $35 with postage within Australia an extra $10. In your email, you would need to include your full name, your forwarding address and mobile number so that I can track the book to ensure it arrives at your home safely.   Wayne Lamotte.

Welcome to the third episode of the Vietnam series for the Australian war history podcast. In this episode, we talk about Mick's post-war life, get into a bit more detail about Simmo and as always touch on a number of different subjects surrounding the Australian military.

Mick's details:

Simmo, the book by Mick can be bought online from Mick's website: https://www.imprimaturbooks.com.au/micks-blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imprimaturbooks/

Australian War History:

Facebook.com/auswarhistory.com

Patreon: patreon.com/auswarhistory

Welcome to the second episode of the Vietnam series for the Australian war history podcast. In this episode, we talk about more of Mick's story, some of what it's like to fight in the jungle and the dynamics of working in a SAS squad. 

Patreon: www.patreon.com/auswarhistory

Mick's website: https://www.imprimaturbooks.com.au/micks-blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imprimaturbooks/

Simmo, the book by Mick can be bought online.

Welcome to the first episode of the Vietnam series for the Australian war history podcast. In this episode, we introduce you to the story of Mick Malone a distinguished SAS soldier who served in Vietnam.

Patreon: www.patreon.com/auswarhistory

Mick's website: https://www.imprimaturbooks.com.au/micks-blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imprimaturbooks/

Simmo, the book by Mick can be bought online.

Welcome to the sixth and final episode of the Timor series for the Australian War history podcast. In this episode, we cover the end of the August push by the Japanese, the reality of a bad diet in grueling terrain and we remember a great Australian, Uncle Jack.

Some of the books we use to cross-check facts:

All the Bull's Men

A History of the 2nd Independent Company and 2/2 Commando Squadron

Welcome to the fifth episode of the Australian War history podcast. In this episode, we discuss the August push by the Japanese that came close to wiping the Australian Force out.

The Japanese commanders were getting frustrated with the Australian gorilla-style tactics, which Brigadier Potts was using so successfully. The Japanese were hungry to bring the fight to the Australian troops' doorstep. 

 

Some of the books we use to cross-check facts:

All the Bull's Men

A History of the 2nd Independent Company and 2/2 Commando Squadron