In 1942, while Australian troops were battling for survival along the Kokoda Track, thousands of others were fighting a very different kind of war—across the world in the deserts of North Africa. In this episode, I speak with author Tom Gilling about his new book, Start Digging You Bastards!, which vividly brings the ANZAC experience at the Second Battle of El Alamein to life.

We discuss the overlooked role of the 9th Division, the brutal conditions of desert warfare, and how El Alamein became a turning point not just for the Allies but for the soldiers who fought it.

Start Diggin,g you Bastards! It is available at all good book retailers

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1 April 1942 – While serving as a pilot with No. 405 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, Flight Sergeant Moheddeen Abdull Ghias Howsan and his crew took part in a daring night raid over Nazi-occupied France. A skilled and determined aviator, Howsan was a proud Australian descended from Afghan and Indian immigrants—one of many Muslim ANZACs who answered the call to serve.

During the mission, their Wellington bomber was struck by enemy fire and engulfed in flames. As the aircraft fell towards the town of Marly-le-Roi, Howsan fought to maintain control, steering away from homes, a school, and a church. His sacrifice saved the town, but he and his crew paid the ultimate price.

To donate in the Soldier on March On Campaign clickhere

Intro and Outro byPaul Yudin

Support the Podcast

Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi:https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ

For Show Notes, transcripts, and photos, check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website athttps://www.thedocnetwork.net/.

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14-MAY-1943: While serving as a Nurse aboard the 2/3rd Australian Hospital Ship Centaur as part of the Australian Army Nursing Service, Sister Ellen Savage survived the sinking of the Hospital ship at the hands of the Japanese submarine I-177 and in doing so became a symbol of resilience and compassion as she was the sole nursing survivor.

Intro and Outro by Paul Yudin

Support the Podcast

Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ

For Show Notes, transcripts, and photos, check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at https://www.thedocnetwork.net/.

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Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of war, suffering, and the experiences of prisoners of war, which may be distressing for some listeners.

20-MARCH-1945. While serving as a Gunner in the 2/15 Field Regiment, Gunner Albert Niel Cleary became a tragic symbol of the suffering endured by Australian prisoners of war during the Second World War. Captured and forced to march in the harrowing Sandakan Death March, Cleary's life ended in unimaginable hardship, alongside the 1,700 other Australian prisoners who perished during this brutal ordeal.

Intro and Outro by Paul Yudin

Support the Podcast

Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ

For Show Notes, transcripts, and photos, check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at https://www.thedocnetwork.net/.

Access to the Discord Server: https://discord.gg/XR3tRznAGM

Find the Podcast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon, YouTube.

30-AUGUST-1942. While serving as a soldier in the 2/14th Australian Imperial Force as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, Private Claude Herbert Roberts served from the sands of Egypt and Palestine to the mountainous slopes of Kokoda.

This episode was requested by his great-niece Christine and was made possible thanks to recently discovered letters sent home during the war. If there is someone that you think needs to have their story told, drop the podcast an email at [email protected]

Thanks to Seth for purchasing the brand-new Armoured Emu Brigade Unit Patch.

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7-SEPTEMBER-1901. While serving with the Bushveldt Carbineers, a British Irregular Mounted Unit, during the Second Anglo-Boer War, Lt Harry Harbord Morant, better known as "Breaker Morant" allegedly ordered the execution of eight Boer Prisoners of War, along with several Dutch civilians, and a German Missionary. For this act, Breaker Morant is one of the first British Subjects, charged, tried and convicted for War Crimes. And while he claimed to be following orders, at what point does just doing your job constitute unlawful killings of non-combatants?

From Duty to Dishonour is a backer-exclusive podcast that tells the story of those service personnel who didn't live up to the societal expectations of what an Australian Service person represents, but their story still deserves to be told.

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For Show Notes, transcripts and photos check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at www.thedocnetwork.net

16-DECEMBER-1943. While serving as part of the 2nd Mountain Battery of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force, Lance Bombardier Leslie James Greenwood, a professional soldier within the Permanent Military Force, served from before the Second World War in Garrison Artillery postings before serving as part of Wren Force in Nauru. His first offensive deployment was part of a Specialised Mountainous Artillery Battery trained and equipped to bring fire support to Allied personnel high in the mountains of New Guinea.

Thanks to Karen, Linda, Mitch and Paul for purchasing the brand-new Armoured Emu Brigade Unit Patch.

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6-JUNE-1944. While serving as part of the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve assigned to the Royal Navy, Sub Lieutenant Richard "Dick" Michael Pirrie, gave up a promising VFL career with the Hawthorn VFL Team.

This episode was made possible due to support from History Guild. ' This Autumn I Was Only Doing My Job; An Australian Military History Podcast has Partnered with History Guild to bring you a series of episodes dedicated to telling the life service and legacy of five Australians, of the tens of thousands who served in the Mediterranean during the Second World War, playing a vital role in the theatre. History Guild has created this project so more people can discover the stories of service and sacrifice of the Australians who fought there, and Honour them by visiting these battlefields. The History Guild website, historyguild.org, has guides to help people visit and understand battlefields in Crete, Greece and Malta.'

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15-JUNE-1942. While serving as a Fighter Pilot in 126 Squadron Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Pilot Officer Adrian Phillip Goldsmith received the Distinguished Flying Medal for shooting down six Axis planes over Malta, this was followed up with the Distinguished Flying Cross a month later and in doing so became the second highest fighter ace in the RAAF

This episode was made possible due to support from History Guild. ' This Autumn I Was Only Doing My Job; An Australian Military History Podcast has Partnered with History Guild to bring you a series of episodes dedicated to telling the life service and legacy of five Australians, of the tens of thousands who served in the Mediterranean during the Second World War, playing a vital role in the theatre. History Guild has created this project so more people can discover the stories of service and sacrifice of the Australians who fought there, and Honor them by visiting these battlefields. The History Guild website, historyguild.org, has guides to help people visit and understand battlefields in Crete, Greece and Malta.'

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