The Skeptical Historian

Bonus: "I died in hell - they called it Passchendaele"


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Every year since 1916, Australia and New Zealand have commemorated ANZAC Day on the 25th of April. This date recalls out landing on the infamous Gallipoli Peninsula and the beginning of an eight month struggle that ended in a desperate evacuation. When the date was chosen, the Australia New Zealand Army Corps had not been in any other engagements, and the Gallipoli campaign remains the best known engagement of the entire war in those countries. But the worst was at Passchendaele. Less well known, but more than twice as deadly as Gallipoli, the Battle of Passchendaele was a battle of attrition characterised by rain, mud and pure desperation. Using first hand accounts and recalling her own visit to this infamous killing field, Juliana reveals the trials of the ANZACs on the Western Front and shares her own thoughts about whether the 25th of April is still the best date for our national day of remembrance. This special bonus episode was produced and released to commemorate ANZAC Day 2023. It contains war themes and first hand accounts of conflict which some listeners may find disturbing. This episode may not be suitable for young listeners

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The Skeptical HistorianBy Juliana Byers